~ OPEN HEARTS ~ OPEN MINDS ~ OPEN DOORS ~ Serving Members and Friends of The First United Methodist Church of Homosassa Church Office Phone: 352-628-4083 Fax: 352-628-9086 Website www.1umc.org Senior Pastor Rev. Mark Whittaker Administrator Theresa Weber Bookkeeper Sandy Dewart Christian Education Patience Nave Music Department Mary Kay Messenger Joy Potts Dayna Middlebrooks Parish Nurse & Visitation Sharon E. Smith Nursery Supervisor & Sunday School Superintendent Sandra Tam Youth Coordinator Neretta Brobst Sound Technician Sharon Cooley Night Security Michael Rodgers Custodian Dale Evans 2008 - A Year To Celebrate! This is the time the TV is flooded with weight-loss programs as people try to keep their New Year s resolution to loose the extra weight they gained during the holidays. It is a time for starting afresh. We sense the inevitable march of time as we turn the calendar page over to yet another year and wonder what the months ahead will bring. For the church, this new year will bring the end of a era as we remove the last of the old church that has meant so much to so many in the past. It is also the beginning of a brand-new phase in our ministry. The year 2008 will bring with it new challenges as we tear down the old fellowship hall and make way for the new one. There will be many things this year we will have to give up temporarily, and some things we ve done in former days will never be resurrected. There will times to practice patient endurance, as we function in the midst of much dust, limited rooms for a multitude of meetings and the inconvenience of working our way around the storage unit in the back parking lot. But, as with all things new, there is a sense of hope - hope that the new building will not be just a monument but a beacon of light to everyone who comes our way. There is a sense of excitement as the building program takes shape. The new building promises new opportunities for ministry and outreach as we extend beyond our small piece of the Kingdom to impact lives we have never touched before. With the enlarged facilities, our church is free to dream big, our creativity limited only by our imagination. Isaiah writes, Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left... (Isaiah 54:2-3a) A new year, new challenges, new opportunities, new hopes and dreams stretch out before us. We may be marching into the unknown, but we trust that we march with Jesus Christ, who will guard and guide us with his grace and love. 2008 is really going to be a year to celebrate!
January 2008 SERVING M EMB E RS A N D F RIEND S O F T H E FIRST U N I TED M E T H O D IST C H U RCH O F H O M O SASSA "Everyone Becoming a Disciple of Christ" PAGE 2 The purpose of an organization s mission statement is to give it direction, focus, and motivation. It clearly states why an organization exists and what it intends to accomplish in the future. This mission statement of the First United Methodist Church of Homosassa was adopted on January 27, 2005. The Purpose of Genesis is to: NOTIFY its readers of what has happened, what is happening, and what is scheduled to happen. EDIFY believers by printing material that encourages and strengthens their Christian walk. GLORIFY God by being one of His instruments of communication at Homosassa Methodist Church and wherever else He may choose to spread the Word through this publication. Richard Evans Receives Award On Sunday, Nov. 18, Rev. Duncan Gray and Rev. John Peterson (from the Florida United Methodist Foundation) presented The Robert C. Holmes Planned Giving Award to our own Rev. Richard Evans. The award recognizes the contributions Dick has made to FUMCH through the establishment of a Permanent Endowment Committee, the promotion of planned gifts to FUMCH, and the establishment of the 5 th Dimension Society to recognize those donors. I am honored to have received this award, Dick said. My interest and involvement in Planned Giving for United Methodists goes back nearly 25 years. As the Assistant to the Resident Bishop in the Boston Area, he helped establish the United Methodist Foundation of New England. In 1995, Dick and Myrna established a Charitable Remainder Unitrust through the new foundation. We gave some appreciated property on which we would have owed substantial capital gains taxes if we had sold it, said Dick, and we received a welcome charitable deduction on our income tax. We are enjoying the regular income stream from that trust, and we are glad to know that someday the remainder will benefit several of our favorite United Methodist causes - including FUMCH. When Dick first retired in 1997 and joined the part-time staff at FUMCH, he immediately began to develop a program of Planned Giving here. Since 1999 he has chaired the Permanent Endowment Committee, he writes articles on Planned Giving for Genesis, and he began the 5 th Dimension Society. That society consists of about 25 members, all of whom have informed our church that they have named FUMCH in their will or in some other kind of planned gift - such as a Charitable Gift Annuity. Each year the church hosts a luncheon for the society members, as a way of expressing appreciation for their foresight and generosity. As the chairman of our Permanent Endowment Committee, said Dick, I want to invite any and all members to let me know if you have named the church as a beneficiary in your wills, trusts, or other deferred gift. Or call the church office or Pastor Whittaker. We do not need to know the particulars of your gift - only that you have named FUMCH. We just want to say thank you and welcome you into the 5 th Dimension Society! The annual 5 th Dimension Society Appreciation Luncheon will be held in early March.
January 2008 SERVING M EMB E RS A N D F RIEND S O F T H E FIRST U N I TED M E T H O D IST C H U RCH O F H O M O SASSA PAGE 3 In a writing seminar the instructor asked, How many of you want to be a writer - a published writer? Every hand in the group went up. Then he asked, How many of you want to commit to writing something every day to practice your writing skills? Fewer hands went up at the suggestion of a daily practice. Finally, the instructor asked, How many of you are willing to let an editor work over your material, cutting some of your choice words and deleting parts you feel are absolutely necessary to what you want to say? The wouldbe-writers felt uneasy with the increasing challenges being leveled at their aspirations, and no one raised a hand. Surveying the class, the instructor said, It appears to me that most of you want to have written or to have published, but few of you are interested in the hard work it takes to get there. This same type of challenge faces those who want to be known as disciples of Jesus Christ. The desire to say, I am a disciple, is there, but the willingness to do the daily practice and receive the necessary discipline is often lacking. We want to be disciples without being discipled. Jesus spoke to those who called him Lord. Why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say? Why would Jesus question their sincerity in calling him Lord? Then Jesus said to them, I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He goes on to say that such a person is like a man building a house who digs down deep to lay the foundation on rock. Such a house will withstand the flood because the house is so well-built. What does Jesus require of a person in addition to his hearing Jesus words? W h a t w i l l b e h i s r e w a r d? Jesus then adds, But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without laying a foundation. Jesus describes the result. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete. (Luke 6:46-49) Both men are described as hearing the words so what i s the di fferenc e be twe e n them? Drawing from the illustration of the two houses, what do you see as the difference among people who hear the Word of God, call Jesus Lord and want to be known as his disciples? What would you list as the rewards of hearing and putting into practice the words of Jesus? Peter asked of Jesus: We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us? Jesus told Peter that after Jesus return and all is renewed the disciples will sit on thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel. Jesus also adds a reward for the here and now: And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. (Matthew 19:28-29) Remembering what Jesus meant when he said, If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters yes, even his own life - he cannot be my disciple, (Luke 14:26) what do you think he means here when he talks about leaving people and things? Following Jesus as a disciple does not mean that we give up having loving relationships with others or enjoying material possessions, but who has to come first in everything? W h a t a r e t h e r e w a r d s l i s t e d h e r e? One of the greatest rewards of discipleship is found in John 15:12-15. Jesus said, My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. What amazing reward do you find in these words? What is the one thing necessary on the part of the disciple? If you look up verse 16, you will find two more amazing rewards. THINK ABOUT IT: If someone told you he had read a lot of medical books because he wanted to be a doctor, would you want him to operate on you? If someone said, I watched my dad fix cars all the while I was growing up so I think like a mechanic, would you want him to work on your car? I ve never actually played, but I watch tennis on TV all the time. I m really a pro at heart. Do you want her on your competitive tennis team? I sat in the garage all night and when I came out this morning I was a car. Would you believe that? THE REWARDS OF DISCIPLESHIP ARE REAL - BUT SO IS THE NEED TO LISTEN AND PRACTICE.
January 2008 SER VIN G M EM BE RS AN D F RIEN D S O F T HE FIRS T UN ITED M E T HO D IS T CH URC H O F HO M O SA SSA Many Hands Made Light Work... PAGE 4
January 2008 SERVING M EMB E RS A N D F RIEND S O F T H E FIRST U N I TED M E T H O D IST C H U RCH O F H O M O SASSA PAGE 5 wish to refresh your memories or ask additional questions now that the time has come for a final vote. Detailed discussions in a large at Church Conference can be difficult, and there is sometimes a reluctance to ask questions in such as setting. Building For Tomorrow Church Conference January 6 A Church Conference has been scheduled for Sunday, January 6, at 5:00 pm in the sanctuary. At that time, we will be asking you to approve the construction and financing plans for our new fellowship hall, kitchen, youth center, classrooms, thrift shop, and library. The decision we make that day will be an extremely important one in the life of our church. We urge each and every member to attend, to listen and view our presentation, to ask questions and express your opinion, and to vote on this matter. Our District Superintendent will officiate at this meeting. Although we have distributed much information on this final phase of our building program, and have provided numerous opportunities over the past several years to view plans and ask questions, we expect that many of you may Therefore, we plan to have the architect s drawings and additional information on both the construction and financial plans available for your inspection in fellowship hall all day long on January 6. Members of the Building Committee will be present to discuss the plans and answer any questions you may have. Our regular Sunday morning hospitality center will be serving coffee and cookies there as usual, and we ll keep the coffee pot perking all afternoon. So, please stop by between services in the morning, or before you head home after Sunday School or Worship, or on your way home after lunch. If those times aren t convenient, come early to the 5:00 pm Conference and stop by fellowship hall on your way to see the displays and talk with us about this exciting new addition to our church campus. A stop in fellowship hall sometime during the day will help you make an informed decision during the Church Conference that follows. If our plans are approved on the 6 th, we will submit a mortgage application to the Methodist Foundation the following day. Mortgage approval may require as long as 45 to 60 days, so construction will probably begin near the end of February or shortly thereafter. When that happens, our long-held dream of completing our church facility and extending our church ministries within our congregation and out in the community will finally become a reality. Dave Marquis, Chairman Building For Tomorrow Committee PRAYER CORNER PLEASE PRAY FOR: the lay leadership of our church as they begin the new year, and for each committee member. the women who will be attending the upcoming Women s Retreat (Jan. 18 20) as they prepare, travel and participate in this time apart. the Holy Spirit to prompt those couples He would have participate in the upcoming Couples Retreat (Feb. 29 Mar. 2) & pray for them as they prepare. the Finance Committee as they work on the budget for 2008 and for our Financial Secretary and our bookkeeper; this is a very busy time of year for them. all the Bible studies and small groups, esp. those which are just forming. our Pastor and Staff - daily. A Tech On A Mission There is a little known corner of FUMCH that is one of the busiest ministries in the church. Tom Wise has been operating out of Room 218, Communication Room, for two years. He gathers donations, reconditions used equipment, identifies qualified recipients and places the appropriate equipment with them solely for their use and at no charge. 11 computers were placed, through the school counselor, to students whose families could not afford one. Steve Skelley also placed some but those records are not available. 20 reconditioned, secondhand computers have been sold through the Thrift Shop, with 3 more computers ready to go when they sell the one in there now. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication, Tom.
January 2008 SER VIN G M EM BE RS AN D F RIEN D S O F T HE FIRS T UN ITED M E T HO D IS T CH URC H O F HO M O SA SSA December 13 Toy Wrapping For 49 Children PAGE 6
January 2008 SER VIN G M EM BE RS AN D F RIEN D S O F T HE FIRS T UN ITED M E T HO D IS T CH URC H O F HO M O SA SSA December 14 Toy Wrapping (Still ) PAGE 7
January 2008 SERVING M EMB E RS A N D F RIEND S O F T H E FIRST U N I TED M E T H O D IST C H U RCH O F H O M O SASSA Page 8 Walking on the Path Patience Nave "In the beginning, God... and it was good." (Genesis 1) I have never carefully considered these words. Can I learn anything from them, apply something to my life, or are they just the beginning of the incredible story of God's original work in the universe? I haven't done it before, but today I pondered beginning. In the beginning certainly was important to my spiritual walk a time when I literally decided to receive God's forgiveness and grace for my own life, to know Christ as Lord and not just someone that I heard about on Sunday. That beginning had eternal value and it was good. In the beginning Wallace and I stood before the altar of a great stone church and began our walk together. And from that beginning we moved into the future with love and children, until last May when Wallace went home to be with God and left me to walk without him. That beginning was significant and it was good even to the end. In the beginning my walk without Wallace was difficult, threatening, uncertain, but God began to show me that all beginnings, when he is in charge, have purpose, so it too was good. In the beginning of each day I wake and wonder what the day holds, what God would have me do. That early hour is a time to be still and allow the God of the universe, the One who originated beginnings, to bring order to the chaos of my day, and it is good. In the beginning of a new year, we have the opportunity to reflect on what is out there, what we have not yet experienced, what we need to learn, how we may serve. Contemplation is important, not for making resolutions but for letting God show us the future and remind us it is good. I'm glad I pondered. Life is full of beginnings, and when God is there, they are good. Prayer: Father, help us to see you in all our beginnings. Help us to know that even the difficult beginnings are starting points for You to bring order to our chaos. Help us to submit to Your re-creation so that You can finish what You have begun in us. Help us to allow You to make 2008 a year in our lives that You can call "very good." Amen. We re Going to Ireland! More than 30 members and friends are now registered for our tour of Ireland, leaving May 24 and returning June 7, 2008. There is still room for you! We ll spend 3 nights in Dublin, 3 in Limerick, 3 in Galway, and 4 in Armagh with day trips to most of the important sites in both the Republic and Northern Ireland. From Dublin we ll visit Powerscourt Gardens, and Clonmacnoise. From Limerick we will see Blarney Castle, the cities of Cork and Cobh, the Dingle Peninsula, Adare Village, and the Cliffs of Moher. From Galway we ll visit the Aran Islands and the village of Cong. In Northern Ireland we ll enjoy city tours of Armagh and Belfast and visits to Giant s Causeway and Derry/Londonderry. And we ll tour the St. Patrick s Center at Downpatrick and see the Celtic crosses at Monasterboice. We ll also visit several out-of-the-way places with special significance for United Methodists. We ll worship in Methodist churches on two Sundays May 25 in Dublin, and June 1 in Galway. Roman Catholics traveling with us will have the opportunity to attend Mass on both Sundays. Rev. Harold Good, who visited us in Homosassa two years ago, will give us some recent political history. A former President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, Harold has been personally involved in the peace process and has just received the World Methodist Peace Award. The price of the 15-day trip includes ground transportation to and from Orlando International Airport, non-stop flights to and from Dublin, motor coach and guide in Ireland, 13 nights in 3 & 4 star hotels, breakfast & dinner daily, all admissions, baggage handling, and travel insurance. The cost is $3,055 pp. (dbl. occ.) and as low as $2,880 pp. with a larger group. Single supplement: $495. A $900 pp. deposit will hold your place and secure the airfare at the special group rate. The balance is payable by the first week of March. Our customized tour has been prepared by CIE Tours of Dublin, Ireland and Morristown, NJ; travel arrangements by J & L Travel of Homosassa. The tour will be directed and escorted by Rev. Richard Evans. Pick up information at the church office. Call Rev. Evans (563-5833) with any questions. Call J & L Travel (382-7708) to register. RED CROSS CPR, AED, First Aide Coming on January 12, 2008, we will have our first training class for: 1. CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation 2. AED automated external defibrillator 3. First Aide All of these topics will be discussed in an eight (8) hour class presented by our local Red Cross staff. If you only wish to participate in the CPR and AED portions, you can do that. The cost for CPR, AED is $35.00, while the cost for the whole day is $45.00. Class size is limited to 12 people. Please register through the church office at 628-4083.
January 2008 SERVING M EMB E RS A N D F RIEND S O F T H E FIRST U N I TED M E T H O D IST C H U RCH O F H O M O SASSA Page 9 First United Methodist Church E-MAIL PRAYER CHAIN This has been a wonderful year for the Children s Home because of your participation in the caring and financial help, so that the Children s Home can continue with their wonderful programs for the children who live there. We wish to thank each one of you for being their life line through our Fifth Sunday Offerings. The money received through these offerings is used for the daily care of children and youth. We made our goal this year because of your love and faithfulness. The future OPERATIONS and GROWTH depends on each of YOU. I m so proud of our Church and its generosity and thank each of you who participated. Our final Fifth Sunday Offering will be on December 30, 2007. This will get us started on having a successful 2008 year. It s always nice to start out the new year with funds available. I know we can count on YOU. On January 1, 2008, the Florida United Methodist Children s Home will begin to celebrate its Centennial year. For 100 years, the Children s Home has been looking after the special needs of children and families. We can all be proud of this unique ministry, and we have much to celebrate. They will do many things to mark the significant milestone. As a goodwill ambassador for the Children s Home, I will rely on your energy to help make this a successful year. More information about these events will be coming soon. Thanks again for all that you do to make this ministry possible. Never underestimate how important the role of the Local Church is to the success of the Children s Home. We could not do it without you. Marsha Bader The Prayer Hand As the thumb touches all our fingers, so praise should permeate our whole prayer life. With Permission: www.navigators. org/us/aboutus This ministry is made up of very willing and dedicated men and women who are ever ready to offer sincere prayers from their hearts. At present, we have 49 e-mail addresses on this prayer chain - some are singles and some are husbands and wives, which relates into many more than the 49 addresses. Prayer requests are made through Pastor Mark, Theresa, e-mails, telephone calls, prayer request cards in the pew racks, notes left in the offering plates - all of which come to me. In addition, some e-mails are sent directly to me. I check my incoming e-mail regularly and immediately send these needs out to all the prayer chain buddies with carbon copies to Pastor Mark and Theresa. The reasons for the requests vary and about run the gamut from unborn babies, broken bones, upcoming surgeries, health issues, employment, sickness, accidents, thankfulness, family problems, hospitalizations, rehab placements, deaths and information about memorial/funeral services for the deceased. For any or all of these and others not mentioned, our Prayer Warriors move into action. Now it is our turn to put in a request. Rarely does anyone who sends in a request give us an update or follow up about the person(s) for whom we are praying. Folks e-mail to me or call asking about these people and I don t have answers. If I do receive follow up information, I send it out immediately. It will be greatly appreciated by all of us on the E-mail Prayer Chain to have some further knowledge about the person(s) for whom we are praying. I thank you sincerely for updating or telling us the outcome of the problems. To those of you who are serving on this ministry please advise me as soon as possible if your e-mail address changes of if there are problems. Thanks. Connie Barton wbarton@tampabay.rr.com 2008 Couples Spiritual Retreat Jesus is the Lighthouse Life Enrichment Center Leesburg February 29 March 2 This is OUR WEEKEND at the Couples Retreat. It will be an amazing time together. This weekend will fill up fast, so let s get those reservations in quickly. Keynote Speakers: John Riley & Rev. Geraldine McClellan Enrichment Leaders: Rev. Donald Taylor & Rev. Nancy Dixon-Walton Music and Worship Leaders: Lenee Schroeder and Jeff & Diane Anders More information and registration forms are posted on bulletin boards near the administrative offices and near the classrooms. Jim Stoneman is the retreat coordinator. Please get your registration forms to him as soon as possible. If you have sent them in separately, please contact Jim; we would like to know you are attending. If you have any questions, contact Jim, Marilyn Watson, or the church office. Complete information is also available on the website at www.ummflconf.org.
January 2008 SERVING M EMB E RS A N D F RIEND S O F T H E FIRST U N I TED M E T H O D IST C H U RCH O F H O M O SASSA Page 10 Education and Ministries Patience Nave Wonderful members of our church have been working hard this month, and we've accomplished a lot of things. Ready to Go EBADOC Discipleship Academy, the new rotation plan Sunday school for children, will begin January 6. We have an excited group of teachers ready to go, and we know our children are going to love the new format. If you have children in grades one through five, this is the place to be at 9:30 on Sunday morning. It's going to be an exciting new adventure with eternal value. Three new Bible studies will begin in January: one for men, one for women, and one for couples. There may be others, but right now we have enough for these three groups. If you want to be included in either of these studies, please call me as soon as possible. We'll probably never reach our goal of having everyone in some kind of Bible study, but I am grateful that more and more of you are expressing an interest in being part of a Bible study small group. What to Watch For Another small group will begin in January, whose purpose is to reach out to service men and women overseas. A new person in our church family has presented this exciting idea, and we will soon have all the particulars in place. Jennifer LaMountain will present another concert here in the late spring. The date will probably be set by the time you read this announcement. Dave Ramsey's "Financial Peace University" will be offered here in the spring, and that date will also be announced by the time you read this edition of Genesis. The Financial Peace University should be a tremendous blessing to our members as well as an effective outreach to the entire community. The date to receive our new directories had to be moved forward so we could get all the pictures taken. We decided that getting pictures of as many of our people as possible was more important than holding to the originally set delivery date. We think it will be worth the wait. In Memoriam ~ Bob Brown who attended the 9:30 service, and had been in Life Care, died this afternoon. He had 2 children - both of them out of state. Bob was 89 and had been in failing health for the past year and died peacefully. Robert N. (Bob) Brown, Sr. Aug. 24, 1918 - Dec. 9, 2007 ~ Mary McCray A YEAR ENDS, A YEAR BEGINS... A mere twelve months ago my life was very different; my husband and I attended church regularly, but were not yet members. In January 2007, we officially joined the church and started contemplating ways to become involved in a few activities. We thought - silly us - that we'd just start slowly, maybe join a group or committee, and gradually determine where our interests lay. I noticed a recurring item in the bulletin, and in Genesis, seeking a teacher for the Youth Sunday School class. "I can do that", I thought to myself. "It requires only one hour a week, plus some planning time. After 34 years of full-time teaching, this will be a piece of cake." So I contacted Patience Nave and began the approval process. On April 15, the Sunday following Easter, I met the youth for the first time and taught my first class. Since then, my involvement has increased substantially; as not just Sunday School teacher, but also Youth Group leader. I have found myself spending more time and energy on activities and projects I had never thought would be part of my retirement. But it's been a very rewarding experience, and I believe our group has become a more cohesive unit and has performed many useful services to the congregation, while enjoying ourselves and learning more about God and His plans for each of us. Recently, the Youth Group visited Life Care Center in Lecanto, wrote letters to the children we sponsor in Ecuador, made Christmas ornaments for residents at the Key Training Center, and attended a performance at another church in Crystal River (in which our very own Nathaniel Torres played several key parts.) We have also been selling calendars, pocket calendars, and all-occasion cards as a means of raising funds for church camp in Summer 2008. With the encouragement and support of Linda Gordy, we will continue to do occasional projects for the Key Training Center, and we have several other activities "on the drawing board." Fortunately, my husband also became more involved with church activities, particularly the "Bus Ministry." This has meant that transportation to take the youth various places has been quite easy to arrange, and "Mr. B" and the students have developed a very good relationship (especially since he often picks up and delivers our lunches to us on Sundays." In recent months, Mrs. Lori DeClue has volunteered to teach the class when I am unavailable, and Wayne and Krissy Brown have also worked with the Youth Group on those Sundays I am away. Patience Nave has been extremely supportive and has graciously provided me with much wisdom and insight. These individuals have been real blessings to me and to the youth, and their efforts are greatly appreciated. As 2008 begins, we look forward to an exciting and fulfilling year. Numerous activities, responsibilities, and field trips will be on our calendar, and we hope to increase our membership. Two members - James Behuniak and Helen McCallister - will graduating from high school in May, and next August will see them beginning their college studies. As always, time passes, and lives change. We eagerly await the coming year and whatever the Lord has in store for us. Neretta Brobst
January 2008 SERVING M EMB E RS A N D F RIEND S O F T H E FIRST U N I TED M E T H O D IST C H U RCH O F H O M O SASSA Page 11 We'd like to voice our appreciation to all those who participated in one or more of our bus trips since August. It's been an interesting and fun-filled experience, and we've come to know many delightful people, some of whom have great ideas for future trips. FUMCH Travel Ministry Day Trip December 12, 2007 Show Palace Dinner Theatre Hudson, Florida http://www.showpalace.net In recognition of the fact that virtually everyone - ourselves included - will have had a great many family and social activities and responsibilities during the busy holiday season, there will be no bus trip in January. This will allow some muchneeded R&R time for all of us. However, we will begin rolling again in February, so watch the weekly bulletins for announcements. We look forward to seeing our intrepid travelers again soon! Bill & Neretta Brobst To My Anonymous Benefactor... During the holiday season how many times have we heard sermons on random anonymous acts of kindness? Go out and do something kind, nice and considerate for someone else. Do it anonymously so as to ensure it is from the heart - an act of kindness done with no expectations of thanks, praise or recognition; simply done because you can, from the pure goodness of your heart. Sound familiar? This month I found myself on the receiving end of such an act of kindness. Bill Brobst called me on a Sunday evening and told me that I was on his Show Palace excursion manifest. I replied, No I m not. He replied, Yes you are. I repeated, No I m not. To which he patiently explained to me, Your fare has been taken care of, and all you have to do is show up. That is all I am permitted to disclose to you. ALTERNATE CHRISTMAS THANK YOU! December 2, 2007 was the Alternate Christmas Fair for buying Christmas gifts that keep on giving. We offered wonderful greeting cards to give to loved ones during the Holidays. As usual, our congregation got in the giving mode and we were able to send funds to: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF CITRUS COUNTY, HEIFER INTERNATIONAL, and SOCIETY OF ST. ANDREWS. We wish to say a big Thank You to our congregation for their continued generosity. This program has been an annual event for several years, and we always look forward to participating in it. The Mission Committee To my anonymous benefactor, thank you. The mere words thank you seem so inadequate, but they are all I have. If I knew who you were I would give you such a big hug of appreciation. You don t know how much your kindness and generosity have touched me. I thank you and ask God to please bless you today and everyday. Your Sister in Christ, Judith In Memoriam John P. Miller Aug. 14, 1923 To Nov. 19, 2007 DECEMBER 2007 JOINERS Jean Kirschner 31 Mayflower Ct. S. Homosassa 34446 382-4309 WELCOME! We like to think of this church as Family
January 2008 SERVING M EMB E RS A N D F RIEND S O F T H E FIRST U N I TED M E T H O D IST C H U RCH O F H O M O SASSA Page 12 United Methodist Women of Homosassa 2008 Agenda I would like to thank all of our dedicated Chancel Choir members, handbell members, sacred dancers, instrumentalists, accompanists, sound technicians, liturgists and the decorating committee members who helped to make our Christmas Eve services so special this year. Your extra hours of rehearsals were truly appreciated by all who attended. Our church is blessed to have such a dedicated music ministry.and so am I. With much love and appreciation, Mary Kay UNIT MEETINGS March 18: Call to Prayer & Self Denial June 17: Ice Cream Social & Bazaar Planning September 16: Homecoming & Spiritual Renewal December 16: Installation of Officers All meetings in Room 114. The Executive Officers Business Meeting will be held on the Monday prior to a Unit Meeting. Individual Circles will be conducting their own Service of Pledge & Thanksgiving starting in January 2009. THE GIFT OF LIFE... During the holidays, the number of people donating blood typically drops as regular donors travel away from home and calendars fill up with activities. But the demand for blood knows no holiday. Here are five common needs for blood during this time of year: 1. Trauma: We all know that traffic accidents are an unfortunate holiday tradition. There have been victims who have needed more than 100 units of red blood cells to survive. A severely burned victim may need dozens of units of plasma. 2. Organ transplant: When an organ becomes available, there is no time to waste. Before a liver transplant can take place, there needs to be 20 units of red blood cells and 20 units of plasma standing by. 3. Cancer treatment: Some cancer patients can't produce enough platelets, the special blood cells responsible for clotting. The only way to help them survive is through platelet transfusion. It's estimated that each cancer treatment requires the support of seven platelet donors. 4. Open heart surgery: A serious heart attack may require immediate surgery. On the average a patient will need four units of red cells, five units of platelets, and one unit of plasma. 5. Premature births: Red blood cells, platelets, and plasma have to be standing by on the shelves of the hospital blood banks to give these babies a fighting chance for survival. With complicated deliveries, mothers may also need blood. Barbara Jackson Any special announcements or events will be placed in the Sunday Bulletin. January 9, 2008 10 AM Bazaar Committee Meeting All Circle Leaders are encouraged to attend to bring information, in regards to bazaar tasks, back to their individual Circle. UMW Thrift Shop Will close for business on January 12, 2008. There will be a Yard Sale in The Fellowship Hall January 19, 2008. Guidepost s Knit For Kids Project The UMW has mailed out 192 sweaters that go to needy children all over the world. Thank you, and bless you, for all your knitting, ladies. Just wondering If there is any interest in the formation of a Woman s Circle at night, or a Working Woman s Circle Luncheon Meeting, please contact Kim Bennett, UMW Vice President.
January 2008 SERVING M EMB E RS A N D F RIEND S O F T H E FIRST U N I TED M E T H O D IST C H U RCH O F H O M O SASSA Page 13 Aging Matters Workshop February 2, 2008 by Richard Evans Aging Matters, a Panel Discussion and Workshop exploring a variety of aging issues, will be held on Saturday, February 2, from 9:00 am until noon. A Continental Breakfast will be served from 8:30-9:00 am. We believe that aging does matter and that there are a number of aging matters that are important to us as we grow older. The Permanent Endowment Committee has planned an informative program, and we invite you to attend. The first part of the morning will consist of presentations by panel members; the second half of the program will answer questions raised by the participants. Sharon E. Smith (our Parish Nurse) will highlight some physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of aging. John Nelson (Slaymaker & Nelson) will identify some legal issues and concerns of seniors and their families. John Peterson (Financial Planner) will address some financial issues and concerns. Sgt. Chris Evan from the Sheriff s Department will bring some advice for seniors concerning personal and property protection. Christina Martenssen (Geriatric Care Manager) will highlight some public and private resources for seniors. The Permanent Endowment Committee (PEC) has hosted similar workshops over the past 6 years - each with a slightly different theme. These are offered as a service to members and friends of our church, and they are designed to help folks think about and plan for the years ahead. All participants will receive a packet of resource materials. There is no charge to attend the Workshop, but reservations are necessary. Call the church office to register. Weren't the holiday church services wonderful? We had lively drama skits, all kinds of beautiful singing, with bells and horns and harps, too! So many talented people are involved in the presentation of our services, but I'd like to give special thanks to the volunteer sound techncians. They work like crazy hidden in the little booth in the back. They are also responsible for providing recorded CDs and tapes of all our programs. Like myself, the sound booth techs are not professional audio engineers, but church members who are eager to help in an important capacity. They patiently learned all the equipment operations: sound control board, three taping machines, two duplicating machines, a power supply bank, the wireless system, battery charging, microphone/monitor setup, lighting controls, and the carillion bells that play when you exit the church. They print tape labels and CD envelopes on their home computers. They've climbed on the roof and up inside the big organ speakers (behind the altar), installing new audio equipment. And they've been doing it a long time. For two years to more than 14 years, these men have donated countless hours in support of church activities. In addition to Sunday services, they've supported every wedding, funeral, choir rehearsal, Wednesday supper program speaker, community Veterans' Day program, etc. You've got the picture -- whenever anything is happening with a microphone, a sound tech is there. Our volunteers include: Dave Marquis, Jack Cooley, Merl Hoar, Tom Wise, Art Carnevale, Terry Cornelius, Bill Barton, Dick Kern, Jim Haskell, and Harold Layman. I've been hired in a newly-created position as main audio operator for all three Sunday services, relieving most of the demand for volunteers. A few of our volunteers will continue to assist me with recording the 9:30 service, and others will be able to enjoy their first Sunday morning sitting in a comfortable pew! Thank you, gentlemen, for your dedication and many years of service to our church. You are stars in the FUMC congregation. -- Sharon Cooley Audio Technician Dedication of Shawls November 28, 2007 In two months we ve knitted 18 shawls, and 8 shawls have been presented as comforting gifts. To learn more about our ministry go to: http://www.shawlministry.com
January 2008 SERVING M EMB E RS A N D F RIEND S O F T H E FIRST U N I TED M E T H O D IST C H U RCH O F H O M O SASSA Page 14 What Will You Do? What will you do in 2008? Is there something the Lord is prompting you to do? I m referring to steps on your spiritual journey, not a New Year s resolution. Maybe this is the year you will step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Perhaps you ll add a Sunday school class to your Sunday schedule. Or you might be led to begin studying the Bible more regularly. Perhaps this is the year you will start volunteering within the church or in the community. I don t know what the Lord would have you do. But I do know God continually calls us to move forward in our walk with Him to grow to be more Christ-like. Some of us have a long way to go! I look around and see people who seem to be so close to Jesus, and I realize how much more work He has to do in me. I m so thankful He promises to continue the good work He started in the lives of those who believe in Him. There are many ways of growing closer to God. The best place to start is learning more about Him and to develop a closer relationship with Him. After all, how can we become more like Jesus if we don t know Him? This knowledge comes from being in the Word where His nature is revealed. Bible study is one of the means of grace (spiritual disciplines). The more we know about Him, the more intimately we want to know Him. Bible study takes us beyond history and background. Those are important and we must have those and more in order to rightly interpret the writer s intent. The Bible speaks to us personally if we listen. Meditating on God s Word is another spiritual discipline. By meditating on God s Word and letting it transform us, we become increasingly more like the Christ revealed in the Bible -- not that we should expect to attain perfection. But we can strive to grow more Christ-like each year, each month, each day. So give this question some prayerful thought. Are you more Christ-like now than you were at the beginning of 2007? What will you do in 2008 so at the beginning of next year you can answer that question positively? Now back to the first question -- What is God calling you to do this year? Let s ask Him, Lord, what do You want? Perhaps He doesn t want you to do anything now. Sometimes He wants us to sit and give Him our time and attention. If that is what He wants from us, then we should do exactly that. I pray you will ask the Lord what He wants and then step out in faith to do it. Marilyn Watson COMING AGAIN! Coming again, Coming again, Maybe morning, maybe noon, Maybe someday, maybe soon, He s coming again! How do you respond when someone talks about Jesus return or the Second Coming? How much are you aware of the signs the Bible says will precede and accompany his coming? Do you know the instructions, warnings and promises that are given to those who look for Jesus return? As the disciples stood looking up at the place where Jesus had ascended into heaven, suddenly two men in white stood beside them and said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven. (Acts 1:9-11)* In the Revelation of Jesus Christ given to John, Jesus says, Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. (Revelation 22:12-13)* Jesus warns: Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray... (Luke 21:34-36a)* We are not to try and figure out the day or hour of Jesus return. But there are things about his coming we are expected to know so we can be alert to the events of our time which point to his coming. We don t know when...but as surely as he came the first time just as the Scriptures said, we can know his coming again will also be just as the Scriptures say. If you re interested in exploring what we can know, sign up for the 4-week class, Coming Again, which will be offered Wednesday afternoons, 2-4 PM, February 13-March 5, and again Thursday mornings, 10 AM-12, February 14-March 6. Call the church (628-4083) or Jan Wise (382-5799). Jan Wise *italics added for emphasis Make 2008 really special for a young person. Bigs and Littles have fun together - and create memories that last a lifetime! Openings available for mentors at Homosassa Elementary.
January 2008 SERVING M EMB E RS A N D F RIEND S O F T H E FIRST U N I TED M E T H O D IST C H U RCH O F H O M O SASSA Page 15 2007 is now gone but it has been a good year for SHARE. Although overall yearly totals are down some, we have had the highest December sales ever, 2917.90. That s about $500.00 over last year. SHARE sales have fluctuated over the seven years, but we are always hoping to increase the number of people who come to SHARE. Now that the holidays are over, we will return to the regular order form. The basic package is still $18.00, and we will be offering a verity of meats and produce. We will also continue to have the monthly specials. Being a select site lets you chose the meats, produce pack and other specials. SHARE has always had good, high quality food. It is frozen to zero degrees or colder at the warehouse for its trip to Ocala where we pick it up. When it arrives at the church for distribution, it is still well under 20 degrees so that you can take it home and put into your freezer. We see some changes coming. Soon, the Fellowship hall will be taken down and new construction will start. We will be doing our D-Days in room 114, including the chapel. This should not be a problem if we work together. SHARE has a new schedule for 2008. Remember to ask for a copy when you come in to order or pick up. We don t want anyone missing an opportunity to be a part of SHARE. ~ Tom and Nancy Pearo AARP-SAFE DRIVING COURSE FRANK TOBIN, INSTRUCTOR Many of you are nearing the 3-year interval when Automobile Insurance Companies will drop your Discount unless you attend an official Safe Driving Course. Some people have never taken a class specifically designed for Senior Drivers 50 years or older. There will be Safe Driving Classes in Room 114 on 24-25 January and 21-22 February at 9 AM. Each class is two days, 4-hours each day and upon completion, you will receive a completion certificate. Course will cover such topics as: * How overall fitness affects driving * Important strategies for staying Crash Free * Challenges of city vs rural driving * Tips for highway driving, and driving with trucks, buses and other large vehicles * Understanding a vehicle's safety features and new vehicle technology * Tips for trying other transportation options * Warning signs of unsafe driving Class size is limited. For Class Registration, call Frank Tobin at 628-3229. There is a Class Fee of $10. You do not have to be a member of AARP to attend this course.
January 2008 SERVING M EMB E RS A N D F RIEND S O F T H E FIRST U N I TED M E T H O D IST C H U RCH O F H O M O SASSA Page 16 Dear Praying Friends, Whew, it s been a busy month. With a three-day church camp, a baptism, major school projects, our church s first-year anniversary, mission agency board meetings, and unexpected Bible teaching, we ran our way through November. No wonder the Bible says, Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1) Let s get right to it: Praises Cool Shade of Life Church s combined three-day camp with Chiang Mai Baptist Church was a tremendous success. The teaching, which focused on fellowship and being one body, was challenging, and no adventurous children were badly injured. Other than getting terribly lost on the way to the waterfall park, which was about 30 miles north of Chiang Mai, everything went very well. The church held its second baptism, with three members being baptized. Please pray for Wisanudet, Nut, and Noy to grow in their walk with the Lord. (Pastor Ogaat on the left) The emotional event was held on the afternoon of November 25 after we celebrated the church s one-year anniversary in the morning. (Brittany and Caleb singing Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart ) Praise God for what He is doing through this small but growing church body. Thanks to generous gifts from two sources, our family will be able to attend the PIONEERS week-long Southeast Asia conference in southern Thailand in late January. Praise God for His provision. Prayers The church will host a Christmas outreach party the night of Dec. 23. Please pray for the preparations to go well and for us to present the Gospel in a relevant way. TOP: Joe Teaching at Camp ~ BOTTOM: Elaine Teaching at Camp It was decided that the two church members who are going through Bible training, Banjong and Kheek, would be taught at our church for now by Joe and another missionary named Shaun. Already, Joe has taught 6 sessions on Exodus with 6 more to go this month. Please pray for wisdom as he wraps up the teaching of this important book and for Shaun as he teaches Philippians. Also, continue to pray for Joe as he works through English Bible lessons with 6 students. Our mission agency, PIONEERS, is taking steps to be registered under the EFT (Evangelical Fellowship of Thailand), a religious body under the auspices of the Thai Department of Religion. To make a long story short, this will allow us to be a recognized religious group, receive visas, and perhaps raise up Thai missionaries, among other steps. At the board s organizational meeting last month, Joe was appointed as chairman. The paperwork will begin to move through the EFT for approval on Dec. 8. Please pray for wisdom in finalizing the paperwork and finances, for success
January 2008 SERVING M EMB E RS A N D F RIEND S O F T H E FIRST U N I TED M E T H O D IST C H U RCH O F H O M O SASSA Page 17 in the approval process with EFT, and for Joe as chairman. Elaine is having a good year teaching at GIS, although she faces challenging educational hurdles with several students. Please pray for her continued stamina, her health (which we are continuing to work on), and for wisdom in handling the challenges. Speaking of GIS, the Board of Trustees has found itself locked in a battle with some influential members of the community in which the school is located. Again, to make a long story short, this has led to a court case that the school obviously does not desire. As a result, the GIS superintendent has been directed to find suitable property for a K-12 campus, which may or may not include using the present location. Please pray for wisdom in this complicated matter. Last (and ALWAYS least in our minds anymore) is finances. We would ask for your prayers as our financial problems are two-fold: 1) Our incoming regular support was low again in November. As a result, our mission account remains negative. One more month in the red will lead to cuts in our monthly income, which already does not cover our expenses. 2) The dollar continues to go down overseas. While we receive today the same net pay in dollars per month from PIONEERS that we received in January 2006, we are able to withdraw only 80% of the Thai baht we withdrew then. Imagine cutting one-fifth of your net pay in two years time, and you can picture where we are at. That s even a little worse than the dollar s massive 19% fall in two years against the euro. Please simply pray for God s provision in these two matters. (If you feel led to help get our account out of deficit, please fill out a check to PIONEERS with a note saying it is for Joe & Elaine Henry, support account #110798, and send it to: PIONEERS, 10123 William Carey Drive, Orlando, FL 32832. You will receive a tax-deductible receipt.) For His glory, Joe, Elaine, Brittany, Justin, Caleb & Jamie "God is a God of missions. He wills missions. He commands missions. He demands missions. He made missions possible through His Son. He made missions actual in sending the Holy Spirit." - - George W. Peters Greetings from the Wooster s! We re counting down the days before we head back to the icy, cold tundra of Siberia! As of this writing, we are beginning the visa process and will have some idea as to what out next step will be in the next couple of weeks. If all goes smoothly, we ll be on a plane around the 26 th of this month. (Jan.) This particular update will be very brief since we will be spending time at Homosassa on the 12 th and 13 th of January. We are excited to have this opportunity to be with most of you one last time before our journey across Russia. We look forward to a time of prayer and fellowship with a church family that has been extremely faithful with prayer and financial support over these past ten plus years! For His ever present love and faithfulness For the home where we ve been able to live these past 17 months. For the boys getting accepted into colleges For God s provisions in meeting our needs An open door to return to Siberia Kevin, Laura & Nika Our eyes always fixed on Jesus Visas to go smoothly and for long term stay in Russia Finances (we re about $700/month short) Peace in our hearts as we leave the boys here state-side.
January 2008 SERVING M EMB E RS A N D F RIEND S O F T H E FIRST U N I TED M E T H O D IST C H U RCH O F H O M O SASSA VISITATION CARE GROUP by Linda Gordy Page 18 Members Residing In Long Term Care as of 12-10-2007 NURSING CENTERS BARRINGTON Ken McGuire Virginia Rese BRENTWOOD Evelyn Bash Rene Dube Del Parker CRYSTAL RIVER HEALTH & REHAB. Robert Smith CYPRESS COVE Charlie Walker Elta Whilden DIAMOND RIDGE Jean Buzby Marjorie Cook Maddie Wallace HEALTH SOUTH Bob Bosley LIFE CARE Jeannette McDougall - Outreach NATURE COAST LODGE Betty Duncan HUNT HOME Bill Marquis SUGARMILL MANOR Grace Payne Shirley Hart WOODLAND TERRACE Helen Hudson HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Visitation Care Group! Under the able leadership of Sharon Smith, Parish Nurse, we visit shut-ins and those hospitalized. We offer support at times of illness and bereavement, often delivering flowers, cards, or a small gift made by the Youth Group or a children s Sunday School class. Many of you may have received a beautiful personalized greeting card from us expertly made by Krissy Brown on her computer. When Sunday's altar flowers are donated, Barbara and Gene Lantz separate them after the 11 a.m. service into beautiful bouquets for our shut-ins. Joan Carnevale and Gene Lantz take the responsibility for visiting members and friends who are in assisted living facilities and nursing homes. The Prayer Blanket Ministry, which was begun by Catherine Wisehart, continues today through this Committee. Ann Eckman takes the requests, which go to the Committee for consideration. Mary Olson sews and embroiders each blanket with the name, color, and scripture that was selected. The finished blanket is placed on the altar on Sunday ready for our prayers. Recently we have taken on the responsibility of assisting in the presentation of prayer shawls for the Prayer Shawl Ministry. We also accept and distribute medical equipment, available for loan to anyone of the church family. Every Monday at 9:30 a.m., we meet to sign and mail church bulletins, birthday cards, anniversary cards (prepared by Abbye Jean Richner and Barbara Gilbert), get well cards, sympathy cards, and other appropriate cards. Mail is prepared and sent by Donna Ludwick and Betty Bennett. Our dedicated Secretary, Pat Cram, also chairs the Transportation and Meal Distribution Ministry of our committee. (We ask that you give a two-day notice for ride requests.) There is a need for more volunteers to drive our members to local doctors offices. We also are very much in need of people who are willing to help with follow up of members who have not been attending church. Members of our committee include Marcia Bader, Carolyn Bright, Krissy Brown, Joan Carnavale, Pat Cram, Ann Eckman (Prayer Blanket Ministry), Barbara Gilbert, Linda Gordy, Mel Grody, Fran Graham, Ray Johnson, Barbara Lantz, Gene Lantz, Ruth Oblinger, Mary Olson, Abbye Richner, Pat Schuessler (Cancer Support Visitor), Marilyn Siegel, and Sharon Smith. Each person within the committee has a special role, so together it is a powerful team! If you would like to help us in any of these capacities, please call Sharon Smith or Theresa at 628-4083. Sharon is usually in her office all day Sunday and Monday. On Tuesday and Wednesday, she is usually in the office part of the day, but she can be seen by appointment at other times as well. Foot note - As we come to the close of the year, I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart the members of this committee who are so dedicated, motivated, creative, and easy to work with. They have brought much joy to my life, and I am sure, to the lives of all the people they visit. Sincerely, Sharon Smith, Parish Nurse
January 2008 SERVING M EMB E RS A N D F RIEND S O F T H E FIRST U N I TED M E T H O D IST C H U RCH O F H O M O SASSA Page 19 1 Joyce Stone Barbara Hartley April Collins Johns Collins 2 John Cooley Marian Sandlas 3 Gloria Marquis James Stoneman 5 Isabelle Verge 6 Barbara Bellcase 7 Dot Reed James Roberts 8 William Oleson Sue Kuntz Jane Ling 9 Marlene Kaiser 10 Joan Carnevale 11 Edith Ament Mary Kay Messenger 12 Myrna Evans Joyce Leaming Ed Messenger 13 Iris Whittaker Paul Glenn Hilda Seagren Louis Garthaus 14 Mary Severance Annie Carl January Birthdays 14 Evelyn Knight 16 Marilyn Grime David Marquis Ruth Smith Elwin Mosier Stan DeClue 17 Harold Swinson Ann Ice Elizabeth Winner 19 Glen Gunderson Robert Grafton 20 Paul Patton Jr. Betty Blockus Shirley Cole Colleen Megan DeClue 22 Agnes Brickmeier Jane Hamilton 23 Nancy Buzby 24 Elly Case 25 L. Archer Walker 27 B. J. Smith William Waters 28 Phyllis Konitshek Stephen Csont 29 Lois Pohlman 30 Kathy Betsko 31 Earl Speicher January Anniversaries 4 Lisa & Rusty Stocker ~ 5 years ~ 9 Roberta & Todd Little ~ 44 years ~ 10 Danielle & Robert Christensen ~ 6 years ~ 11 Gail & Walter Rudolph ~ 5 years ~ 13 Norma & Duane Geiger ~ 57 years ~ Dear Church Family: 15 Karen & Neil Kline ~ 36 years ~ Lois & Jack Schoch ~ 59 years ~ 17 Art & Joan Carnevale ~ 49 years ~ Gloria & Zane Megos ~ 39 years ~ 31 Gerry & James Graham ~ 10 years ~ Thank you so much for your caring prayers, cards, and visits during my recent illness. Special thanks to Patience Nave, Pastor Mark, and Iris who came to the hospital. Also to Peggy Powell who brought me home. Yeah! Such kind thoughts from all of you made me feel truly blessed. Ruth Eaton TO ALL MY CHURCH FAMILY: This church family is an integral part of our lives and never more so than in times of illness, pain, or trouble. Thank you for your expressions of love and support during this recent knee surgery. Your prayers have made a huge difference in the outcome. Blessings to you all. Carolyn Crowley College Scholarships Available Our church has two scholarships available to high school seniors: The Samuel R. and Gladys F. Huey Scholarship may be awarded to an applicant from Chassahowitzka or Homosassa pursuing a college degree and preferably, but not limited to, a teaching career. The Kathryn O. Mitchell Scholarship is available to United Methodist students who are enrolled in colleges and universities and who are pursuing their education toward becoming United Methodist Ministers, Christian Education Directors, or Church Music Directors. Both scholarships are renewable. Application forms for the Huey Scholarship are available in the guidance offices at Lecanto and Crystal River High Schools. Application forms for the Mitchell Scholarship are available at the church office.
First United Methodist Church of Homosassa 8831 W. Bradshaw Street Homosassa, FL, 34448 First United Methodist Church of Homosassa Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors Rev. Mark Whittaker Pastor Sunday Schedule Morning Worship: 8, 9:30 and 11AM Nursery at all services Sunday School for all ages: 9:30AM Methodist Youth Fellowship: 12-2PM Office Hours: Weekdays 8:30AM to 4:30PM Office Telephone: 352-628-4083 Submissions to Genesis: Judith Huffer, Editor Jan Wise, Copy Editor Mary Lee Millikin, Editorial Assistant Photography: Neil Kline & Judith Huffer Email: judithann@tampabay.rr.com Soli Deo Gloria